Derry SHC Final: Slaughtneil retain title

Derry SHC Final

Slaughtneil 3-24 Kevin Lynch's 1-10

By Michael Wilson at Owenbeg

Slaughtneil are Derry senior hurling champions again, completing a 13-in-a-row, after blitzing old rivals Kevin Lynch's by 20 points.

The reigning Ulster champions were breathtaking at times, never allowing their Dungiven opponents a foothold in a decider that was as good as over inside the opening quarter as Slaughgtneil led 2-7 to 0-1 after 15 minutes and 3-14 to 0-3 by the break.

Little changed in a second half punctuated by a succession of substitutions on both sides, an injury time goal from Kevin Lynch's best player on the day, Richie Mullan, nothing more than a final footnote. Indeed the most remarkable stat from a one sided final was the fact that Slaughtneil's nine different scorers did not include Oak Leaf county captain Cormac O'Doherty.

The writing was on the wall early for a Lynch's team who failed to score from play until the 43rd minute. Even more ominous was the fact Slaughtneil are producing this level of display with out the services of Sean Cassidy, Conor Coyle and Jack Cassidy, three starters from the team that reached the All Ireland club semi-final 12 months ago.

But when you have the likes of teenager Cathal O'Mianain - brother of Ruairi - whom Paul McCormack had no qualms about handing a first championship start to in the county final, the future looks about as bright as the present for the Robert Emmet's.

The inside line of Brendan Rogers, Chrissy McKaigue and Shea Cassidy alone accounted for 3-9 of that first half tally.

It was exhibition stuff almost from throw in as Chrissy McKaigue, returned to the hurling panel this season after last year's sabbatical, and Ruairi O Mianain pointed inside two minutes.

Two points had become six by the time Lynch's talisman Richie Mullan, who finished with 1-7, scored the first of his three first half frees, but Slaughtneil's response to that score was Rogers taking a pass from Se McGuigan to charge through and fire a low shot into the back of the Lynch's net for 1-6 to 0-1 after only 10 minutes.

Yet if the inside line was claiming all the scoring headlines, it was Fionn McEldowney and Cathal O'Mianain at the other end who were catching the eye with a hunger that belied how often the Fr. Collins Cup has made its way to Slaughtneil in recent seasons. O'Doherty, too, in a deep lying play-making role, was superb, controlling everything in front of the Slaughtneil back-line.

Shea Cassidy bundled his way through for a second major on 15 minutes and strike partner Rogers putting his football skills to good use by kicking a loose ball into the net on 27 minutes for the other first half goal as the Emmet's turned around with a huge 20 point advantage they would hold until the final whistle.

The second half was a mere formality, Lynch's never quitting but never managing to reach the level of their opponents, Mullan's last gasp goal at least reward for their continued endeavour.

It made no difference to the final outcome for an Emmet's juggernaut that shows no signs of slowing and whose focus will now turn to defending their Ulster title.

Scorers for Slaughtneil: Shea Cassidy 1-8 (1f, 2 '65'), Brendan Rogers 2-2, Chrissy McKaigue 0-5, Shane McGuigan 0-3, Ruairi O Mianain 0-2, Fionn McEldowney 0-1, Se McGuigan 0-1, Cahal O'Mianain 0-1, Jerome McGuigan 0-1.

Scorers for Kevin Lynch's: Richie Mullan 1-7 (6fs), Corey O'Reilly 0-1, Cormac Og McCloskey 0-1, Conor Kelly 0-1.

Slaughtneil: Oisin Doherty, Finn McEldowney, Paul McNeill, Conor McAllister, Ruairi O Mianain, Meehaul McGrath, Shane McGuigan, Se McGuigan, Chrissy McKaigue, Mark McGuigan, Cathal O Mianain, Eunan Boylan, Brendan Rogers, Cormac O'Doherty, Shea Cassidy.

Subs: Jerome McGuigan for Se McGuigan, 41mins; Eamon Cassidy for M McGuigan, 41mins; Peter McCullagh for E Boylan, 48mins; Cathal McKaigue for M McGrath, 48mins; Declan McNamee for C McAlliuster, 50mins.

Kevin Lynch's: Sean Kelly, Oran McElhinney, John Mullan, Eoin McKeever, Shea Millar, Conor Kelly, Niall Ferris, Darragh McGilligan, Corey O'Reilly, Thomas Brady, Niall McNicholl, Stevie O'Neill, Mark Craig, Richie Mullan, Niall McGonigle.

Subs: Tiernan McHugh for S O'Neill, 19mins; Padraig O'Kane for M Craig, 27mins; Cormac Og McCloskey for N McGonigle, 36mins; Kevin Barry Mullan for T Brady, 44mins; Conor Gaile S Millar, 44mins.

Referee: Ciaran O'Kane.